Citation

Snow A, Cerel J, Loeffler DN, Flaherty C. Health Soc. Work 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Constance Wilson Professorship in Mental Health, College of Social Work, University of Kentucky.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/hsw/hlz016

PMID

31359065

Abstract

Contemporary research suggests that transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) adults encounter formidable barriers to health care, including access to quality therapeutic interventions. This systematic review is one of the first to specifically explore obstacles to TGNC mental health care. A rigorous literature review identified eight relevant studies: six qualitative designs and two quantitative designs. Thematic synthesis revealed three major barriers to care and five corresponding subthemes: (1) personal concerns, involving fear of being pathologized or stereotyped and an objection to common therapeutic practices; (2) incompetent mental health professionals, including those who are unknowledgeable, unnuanced, and unsupportive; and (3) affordability factors.

RESULTS indicate an acute need for practitioner training to ensure the psychological well-being of TGNC clients.

© 2019 National Association of Social Workers.

Language: en

Keywords

barriers to mental health; mental health professionals; systematic review; transgender and gender-nonconforming adults